Christmas Eve....
We slept in till about 9:30...DS was even later since he decided he didn't want to go to Epcot early. Fine! It'd be date day for DH and I...
We had a 12:30 ADR at San Angel, which was not a problem when only 2 of us showed up. DH and I enjoyed the meal seated next to the pyramid. We took advantage of the character greeting at Innoventions for Disney visa members and got some great shots dancing with Minnie and Goofy...I'm kinda glad DS wasn't with us...no telling what that stinker would have done.
When finished we decided to head to the Living Seas and check out Turtle Talk. Well, it must be as great as everyone says cause that line was loooooong!
We'll do it the next time...that is the wonderful thing about DVC and APholders...we always know there IS a next time around the corner. 
As we exited DH had his photo taken with the living coral...I was hoping it jump at him or something... 
Since we really enjoyed Soarin' on the last trip we thought we'd try it again...80 mins. wait time in standby so we passed....next time. DH had been wanting to do the land boat ride for several years but we haven't...big mistake...it' a great ride...very informative...although when I pointed out the hidden Mickey to DH she asked if I wanted to give the tour.
I can't help it that the DIS has trained me well...
We were both getting a little warm so stopped at the Cool Station...DH was in the mood for a frozen coke and that is the easiest place to get them. He was very disappointed...it had no flavor to speak of, but at least it was cold. DS called while we were in the Land pavillion to say he was on his way to Epcot so we walked toward the front of the park to meet him and I had a Mickey bar while we waited. He still wasn't there so DH and I hopped on Spaceship Earth since there was no wait. It was a nice ride, but I think it's in need of some updates for the 21st century.
We grabbed our free photo courtesy of Visa and were heading out just as DS called to say he was nearing the gate. It was too funny trying to talk him thru to where we were standing...just under Spaceship Earth. Lord, help that boy when he starts to drive...
Now that we were all together we walked back to WS heading for Canada. DS, the bottomless pit, wanted some fries as we walked. (It would be a while till our 8pm dinner.) DH bought an OffKilter CD...he really liked them and their renditions of classic rock tunes. We meandered on thru the WS...destination...the American Garden theater since we knew we should line up early for the show. We arrived about 5:30 for the 6:45 show and the line was back to Japan for the dinner package line. We talked briefly with the family behind us from Lincoln, IL...she told me that she read the DIS all the time, but never posted...until now...she's a DISser and a poster...
I really wanted to be on the right side of the theater so I could see the interpreter for the show, so I did as the CM told me...said I needed to see the interpreter and we were directed to the 2nd or 5th row..our choice so we took 2nd right in front of the trombones for DS...his primary instrument. I figured if there was a shortage of seats for Deaf and Hard of Hearing then I'd gladly give up my seat, but it wasn't needed. Again, this was a fabulous show!! An absolute must see for anyone! Okay, little kids might not enjoy it, but if they like music then they will. DS kept trying to read the sheet music for the trombones...take a photo mom...take a photo...I did. Again the interpreter was Angela, whom I practically stared down in awe...sorry if you are by chance reading this. Her work is amazing! And the celebrity narrator...Jim Caviziel.... so handsome in the tux with tails...here he is singing along with the Hallelujah chorus...I believe the line he was singing was "he shall reign forever...."
Jim Caviziel started off by speaking Aramaic (not sure if that is spelled correctly) then in Latin, then in English. He was so very passionate as he read...just a wonderful job! He was so gracious to thank everyone for allowing him to be a part of the CP and as he exited the stage, he shook hands with several of the choir members. I was really impressed with him...
After we had an 8pm ADR at Mitsukosi Teppenyaki which we loved...even DS...he thought the chef, CM Tom, was very impressive. Since we had no desire to see Illuminations again, we headed for the International Gateway to grab a boat to the Boardwalk then catch a bus home to SSR.
When we arrived at SSR it was close to 11pm, and I still hadn't checked in online for our Southwest flight on Christmas evening so I stopped at the front desk, where the CM and a CM trainee were able to do so and get us "A" boarding passes, which they printed for me.
So, the reality started to set in...Christmas day would be our last in WDW, but at least it meant lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe and some last bit of shopping and strolling around DTD...I decided to start packing tonight though...ah, the drudgery of being responsible...
We slept in till about 9:30...DS was even later since he decided he didn't want to go to Epcot early. Fine! It'd be date day for DH and I...
We had a 12:30 ADR at San Angel, which was not a problem when only 2 of us showed up. DH and I enjoyed the meal seated next to the pyramid. We took advantage of the character greeting at Innoventions for Disney visa members and got some great shots dancing with Minnie and Goofy...I'm kinda glad DS wasn't with us...no telling what that stinker would have done.
When finished we decided to head to the Living Seas and check out Turtle Talk. Well, it must be as great as everyone says cause that line was loooooong!
We'll do it the next time...that is the wonderful thing about DVC and APholders...we always know there IS a next time around the corner. As we exited DH had his photo taken with the living coral...I was hoping it jump at him or something... Since we really enjoyed Soarin' on the last trip we thought we'd try it again...80 mins. wait time in standby so we passed....next time. DH had been wanting to do the land boat ride for several years but we haven't...big mistake...it' a great ride...very informative...although when I pointed out the hidden Mickey to DH she asked if I wanted to give the tour.
I can't help it that the DIS has trained me well...We were both getting a little warm so stopped at the Cool Station...DH was in the mood for a frozen coke and that is the easiest place to get them. He was very disappointed...it had no flavor to speak of, but at least it was cold. DS called while we were in the Land pavillion to say he was on his way to Epcot so we walked toward the front of the park to meet him and I had a Mickey bar while we waited. He still wasn't there so DH and I hopped on Spaceship Earth since there was no wait. It was a nice ride, but I think it's in need of some updates for the 21st century.
We grabbed our free photo courtesy of Visa and were heading out just as DS called to say he was nearing the gate. It was too funny trying to talk him thru to where we were standing...just under Spaceship Earth. Lord, help that boy when he starts to drive...
Now that we were all together we walked back to WS heading for Canada. DS, the bottomless pit, wanted some fries as we walked. (It would be a while till our 8pm dinner.) DH bought an OffKilter CD...he really liked them and their renditions of classic rock tunes. We meandered on thru the WS...destination...the American Garden theater since we knew we should line up early for the show. We arrived about 5:30 for the 6:45 show and the line was back to Japan for the dinner package line. We talked briefly with the family behind us from Lincoln, IL...she told me that she read the DIS all the time, but never posted...until now...she's a DISser and a poster...
I really wanted to be on the right side of the theater so I could see the interpreter for the show, so I did as the CM told me...said I needed to see the interpreter and we were directed to the 2nd or 5th row..our choice so we took 2nd right in front of the trombones for DS...his primary instrument. I figured if there was a shortage of seats for Deaf and Hard of Hearing then I'd gladly give up my seat, but it wasn't needed. Again, this was a fabulous show!! An absolute must see for anyone! Okay, little kids might not enjoy it, but if they like music then they will. DS kept trying to read the sheet music for the trombones...take a photo mom...take a photo...I did. Again the interpreter was Angela, whom I practically stared down in awe...sorry if you are by chance reading this. Her work is amazing! And the celebrity narrator...Jim Caviziel....
so handsome in the tux with tails...here he is singing along with the Hallelujah chorus...I believe the line he was singing was "he shall reign forever...."
Jim Caviziel started off by speaking Aramaic (not sure if that is spelled correctly) then in Latin, then in English. He was so very passionate as he read...just a wonderful job!
He was so gracious to thank everyone for allowing him to be a part of the CP and as he exited the stage, he shook hands with several of the choir members. I was really impressed with him...After we had an 8pm ADR at Mitsukosi Teppenyaki which we loved...even DS...he thought the chef, CM Tom, was very impressive. Since we had no desire to see Illuminations again, we headed for the International Gateway to grab a boat to the Boardwalk then catch a bus home to SSR.
When we arrived at SSR it was close to 11pm, and I still hadn't checked in online for our Southwest flight on Christmas evening so I stopped at the front desk, where the CM and a CM trainee were able to do so and get us "A" boarding passes, which they printed for me.
So, the reality started to set in...Christmas day would be our last in WDW, but at least it meant lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe and some last bit of shopping and strolling around DTD...I decided to start packing tonight though...ah, the drudgery of being responsible...
Sounds like we're coming to the end, have really enjoyed your reports so far, some great memories there,
This was our first Christmas that we weren't trying to make all the relatives happy...we always are trying to fit them in in 48 hours and it just makes us all crazy and angry...no way to spend the holiday. This year we said...equal opportunity tick 'em off...and left the whole family in Illinois...had our first Christmas with just the 3 of us... 
